Kokrajhar: Ahead of the composite floor test for
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), UPPL president and recently elected Chief
Executive Member of BTC, Promod Boro has exuded confidence of proving majority
in the floor of the Council. The UPPL-BJP-GSP combine Council has decided to go
for the confidence vote on Thursday (December 24).
"The formalities are
being completed for the floor test. The process is on. We are confident of
proving our majority. Our victory is more than confirmed. Soon after the floor
test is done, we will get back with our developmental work. This time the Council
will be one of the best governed offices of the country," Promod Boro who was
sworn in as the CEM of BTC on December 15 said speaking to media on Wednesday.
The Gauhati High
Court had on Tuesday ordered for a composite floor test by December 26.
The Court order was
passed in response to a petition filled by Bodoland People's Front (BPF) chief and three-time CEM of BTC, Hagrama Mohilary. In the petition which was first
heard on December 18, BPF said that election of the CEM was done by violating
Constitutional provisions and the entire process of election of members was in
violation of the Election Rules of 2004. Mohilary and six other members of BPF
has challenged the validity of the appointments of CEM and the members.
BPF had emerged as
the single largest party with 17 seats for the 40-member Council but BJP took
the lead to form the Council with support from UPPL and Gana Suraksha Parishad
(GSP). UPPL had won 12 seats and GSP won one seat. BJP had won nine seats in
the BTC polls held earlier this month.
Promod Boro said
that Mohilary's close associates are making phone calls to BJP and GSP leaders
and trying to win them over by offering them "ill-gotten" money. According to
sources, BPF is offering at least Rs 5 crore each to buy candidates. BPF needs
four more to form the Council. Point to be noted is that provisions of
anti-defection law do not apply in council elections.
Fearing
horse-trading by Mohilary, who is known for his go-getter attitude and strong
presence in the Bodoland Territorial Region, all newly elected members of the
Council has been shifted to Shillong to keep the flock safe and together.
The new council was formed by the BJP-UPPL-GSP with 22 members. The lone elected member from the Congress and another from the BPF defected to the BJP later.
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